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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
What is Percocet, and What is Percocet Used For?Percocet is a brand name for a prescription pain-relieving drug comprising acetaminophen and oxycodone, the latter of which is an opioid with a high potential for dependence and addiction.1 Given this potential, Percocet is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).2Not surprisingly, then, along with its analgesic effects, Percocet also can be misused for its rewarding opioid effects such as relaxation and euphoria. That’s because oxycodone attaches to and activates the brain’s opioid receptors to moderate pain signals. Thanks to this opioid activation, dopamine activity increases in key regions of the brain, which can significantly reinforce oxycodone consumption and prompt people to repeat the experience.3 While Percocet is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms, which can be consumed orally, tablets are sometimes crushed and/or liquified to allow for misuse via snorting and injection.4,5Given the fact that Percocet is a prescription opioid (similar to hydrocodone, oxymorphone, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and more), it’s one of the key substances involved in the opioid epidemic.3 Data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveals that among those 12 and older, more than 20 million people in the U.S. used or misused prescription opioids in the last year, with more than 2 million of these individuals misusing oxycodone products such as Percocet.6Percocet vs. Norco While both Percocet and Norco are brands of pain-relieving prescription opioids that contain acetaminophen, the former includes oxycodone, and the latter includes hydrocodone.1,7 However, to be clear, the Norco brand has been discontinued.8Few studies directly compare these substance combinations, and fewer produce clear contrasts. In fact, a relatively recent clinical trial showed no significant differences in pain-relieving efficacy when treating acute musculoskeletal extremity pain between these generic combinations.9 One point is clear, however, both oxycodone and hydrocodone products carry a high potential for dependence and addiction.2,3Short- and Long-Term Adverse Effects of Percocet MisuseWhen it comes to Percocet side effects, the most frequent nonserious reactions include dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, sedation, nausea, and vomiting.1Additional side effects can include:1Euphoria.Unease/dissatisfaction (i.e., dysphoria).Constipation.Itching.Similar to other opioids, oxycodone/acetaminophen use can result in a life-threatening overdose (involving respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and coma) or addiction. 1,3Note also that acetaminophen (a component of Percocet) may produce serious adverse effects when consumed at high doses. In fact, acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure that sometimes result in
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